1
2
as in chooses
to decide upon (the time or date for an event) usually from a position of authority
set a date for the wedding
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in values
to make an approximate or tentative judgment regarding
fire losses were set at a million dollars
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
5
as in aims
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal
determined to see the West, she set her car towards the sun and drove off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in decides
to come to an agreement or decision concerning the details of
finally set some plans for the luncheon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in secures
to put securely in place or in a desired position
had the jeweler set the diamond again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in gels
to turn from a liquid into a substance resembling jelly
the gelatin is just starting to set now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in puts
to arrange something in a certain spot or position
set a book on the table
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in freezes
to become physically firm or solid
the concrete must set completely before anyone can walk on it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in factions
a group of people acting together within a larger group
the younger set is less likely to volunteer for the church's annual rummage sale
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in packs
a group of people sharing a common interest and relating together socially
they rarely associate with anyone outside their social set
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in clusters
a number of things considered as a unit
a set of tools
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in types
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic
the next set of job applicants had far more education and practical experience
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in decors
the array of painted backgrounds and furnishings used to establish the setting in a stage production
built sets for the play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of sets
Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
What sets Arturo apart is the balance of technical skill and human understanding.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
But what really sets this white bean chicken chili apart is the way the dish gets its creaminess.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
Stiller sets the film at the sprawling Upper West Side apartment where Anne and Jerry raised their family and to which Ben and Amy have returned after Jerry’s death to go through, pack up and throw out all their parents’ stuff to prepare for the sale of the longtime home.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
However, what really sets the Uptown Loafers apart is their packability.
—Rebecca Shinners, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025
But the compensation aspect isn’t the only thing that sets the auction platform apart.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2025
The stiff formality of this view sets it apart from all the others.
—Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
AfCFTA sets the stage, but stages don’t create jobs — people do.
—Emeka Ajene, semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Nick Friedell, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Spirit Halloween's fantastic costume sets can work for couples or groups of up to four.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
From elevated basics to matching sets, these frequent flyers have honed the formula for looking good while getting from point A to B (with their stylish carry-on in tow, of course).
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025
Also performing exceptionally energetic sets were heavy metal Lamb of God, Swedish-American guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen and Dallas thrash band Power Trip.
—Nathaniel Levine, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Hill’s snaps could be filled, in the short-term, by more of Malik Washington, Eskridge and Westbrook-Ikhine, plus perhaps more two tight end sets with Darren Waller and Julian Hill.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
In terms of the memories, the flashbacks, everything is done with connected sets, there’s no CGI or anything.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
On a macro level, this group’s tough luck is moving the needle in broader data sets that are used in part by economists and monetary policymakers to determine the health of the economy.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
While most of Sabre’s sets are full price right now, this lovely five-piece tortoise setting is marked down.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
After two late-’80s albums peaked in the teens, all of its half-dozen studios sets from 1991’s Roll the Bones through 2012 swan song Clockwork Angels hit the top 10.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
What sets Arturo apart is the balance of technical skill and human understanding.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
But what really sets this white bean chicken chili apart is the way the dish gets its creaminess.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
Stiller sets the film at the sprawling Upper West Side apartment where Anne and Jerry raised their family and to which Ben and Amy have returned after Jerry’s death to go through, pack up and throw out all their parents’ stuff to prepare for the sale of the longtime home.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
However, what really sets the Uptown Loafers apart is their packability.
—Rebecca Shinners, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025
But the compensation aspect isn’t the only thing that sets the auction platform apart.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2025
The stiff formality of this view sets it apart from all the others.
—Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
AfCFTA sets the stage, but stages don’t create jobs — people do.
—Emeka Ajene, semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
That included not playing in both sets of a back-to-back and taking some other games off, depending on how his body was feeling or what the schedule looked like.
—Nick Friedell, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Spirit Halloween's fantastic costume sets can work for couples or groups of up to four.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
From elevated basics to matching sets, these frequent flyers have honed the formula for looking good while getting from point A to B (with their stylish carry-on in tow, of course).
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025
Also performing exceptionally energetic sets were heavy metal Lamb of God, Swedish-American guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen and Dallas thrash band Power Trip.
—Nathaniel Levine, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Hill’s snaps could be filled, in the short-term, by more of Malik Washington, Eskridge and Westbrook-Ikhine, plus perhaps more two tight end sets with Darren Waller and Julian Hill.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
In terms of the memories, the flashbacks, everything is done with connected sets, there’s no CGI or anything.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
On a macro level, this group’s tough luck is moving the needle in broader data sets that are used in part by economists and monetary policymakers to determine the health of the economy.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
While most of Sabre’s sets are full price right now, this lovely five-piece tortoise setting is marked down.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sets
Verb
-
Koch’s vile conduct spawns a number of unnecessary fantasy sequences either brought on by the comics or wholly imagined by Ed.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Corteva, a stronghold seed and pesticide provider in the Indiana agriculture space, will be no more next year as the northwest side company rebrands and spawns its seed business.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Teoscar Hernández chooses the right time to hustle No one has felt the highs and lows of this series quite like Hernández, whose defensive gaffe in the second inning of Game 1 exacerbated the Dodgers’ early deficit and whose bat lifted them to a 5-3 victory that night.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
As anger fades into apathy and grief is aggravated by guilt, the public also chooses silence.—
Yangyang Cheng,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Univision values its relationship with the president, too.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Middleton and McCollum, on the other hand, should help Keefe establish an offense that values making the extra pass and searching for the best possible shots.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
First, a curved guide sits at the back of the throat.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Wolves boss Vitor Pereira was sent off during Sunday’s draw against Brighton & Hove Albion for kicking the ball into the little dugout where the Premier League match manager sits.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Through counseling, peer support groups, life skills education and direct outreach, the organization aims to provide stability, healing, and a sense of visibility to children often overlooked by social systems.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Gilman aims to reopen the indoor space by the end of October.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In an interview with Variety in April 2023, Coelen shared that the crew often decides who will reveal their decision first at the altar.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Snoopy decides to cook his own version of a Thanksgiving meal with help from his friends.—
Tanya Wildt,
Freep.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Teammates said the long-term deal not only secures one of the league’s budding stars in Minnesota, but also that Kaprizov’s faith in this organization sends a message that this is a team that can contend for the Stanley Cup in the near term.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
30 Sep. 2025
-
This project secures funding through the Critical Design Review phase, procurement of long lead material for qualification, and will enable increased and accelerated capacity for solid rocket motor production, according to a press release.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
My priority is transparent, accountable leadership that puts residents first and keeps our community affordable, safe and thriving for all.—
Miami Herald Staff,
Miami Herald,
8 Oct. 2025
-
In Germany, for instance, the organization that sponsors baby boxes puts an ad in the paper when a baby gets dropped off offering to help the mother.—
Alana Semuels,
Time,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sets. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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